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Tips for Setting Up Outdoor Holiday Lighting

Dec. 6 2019 Article By Tropic Trailer

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Decorating the outside of your home for the holidays is always a challenge. If you’ve ever been through anything like the Griswold’s Christmas disaster, you know exactly how difficult it can be. Covering your home with holiday lights should be fun and easy. That’s why we’re sharing some tips that we’ve learned over the years to help out.

Whether you want simple lighting to bring your home to life or you want your home to be seen from space, we have you covered. From tips on how many lights to use to doing as little damage as possible, setting up your home’s outdoor holiday lighting will be a breeze this year if you follow these tips.

Make a Plan

The number one rule for holiday decorating is to make a plan. This is not something you want to “wing” and hope for the best. To ensure that your home stands out on the block, sit down and think about what you want to do before you begin. This will limit the time and damage you waste on changing anything that doesn’t turn out like you want.

Here are a few things to remember while making your plan:

  • Choose a focal point. Start by picking a "main attraction", like the front door, a large tree, or a signature decoration.
  • Measure your surfaces. Make an estimate of how many lights you will need and the materials you’ll need to hang them with. A good rule of thumb, according to HGTV, is 100 lights for every 1 to 1/2 foot of tree or shrub you want to cover.
  • Draw it out. If you’re a visual person, try making a sketch of your home and the decorations you’d like to include.

Choose Your Lights

There are many different types of Christmas lights to choose from. First, decide if you want to use white or color. If you go with color, choose a color scheme to stick with. Then, decide what type of light you want to use: LED, classic, rope lighting, icicle, etc.

Here are a few tips for choosing the right type of lights:

  • LED lights save you money on electricity.
  • Net lights are great for bushes and shrubs.
  • Rope lights are very safe for outdoors.
  • Don’t forget that certain lights need special hangers.
  • Light clips are an easy way to secure lights to almost any surface.
  • ALWAYS TEST YOUR LIGHTS BEFORE HANGING THEM! (Even if they’re new)

Remember: Safety First!

When decorating the exterior of your home, it’s easy for things to go very wrong. The last thing you want for Christmas is a broken arm or leg! Be sure you and your family are safe this year by following these safety tips:

  • Use UL-approved extension cords that are specific to outdoor use.
  • Double check that any lights you put outside are for outdoor use.
  • Be sure that none of your lights or cords are damaged, frayed, or missing bulbs. This reduces the risk of a fire.
  • Do not connect too many strands to each other. This can cause shorting and is a fire hazard.
  • Be careful when mounting and hanging lights. We recommend you always have someone with you, just in case.

If you follow these tips, you are sure to have a successful holiday and be the envy of all of your neighbors! Don’t forget to take your lights down at the end of the season. It’s not as much fun as putting them up, but it’s good neighborhood etiquette. Plus, leaving your lights up longer can cause unnecessary damage to the wires, bulbs and cords. This can lead to fading in color, which could result in you needing to buy new lights next year. We hope this holiday season is the best yet for you and your family.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Tropic Trailer!